In a revival of centuries-old practices, European priests are undergoing certified training to conduct exorcism rituals once again. The exorcism ritual, popularized in European churches during the 17th century, continues to draw significant attention, with over a thousand rituals performed annually at a monastery in Belgium. Let's delve into the details of this intriguing practice.
The narrative is familiar; a person is possessed by a demon, and others try to exorcise it. But what if this practice becomes a taught event in daily European life?
These priests undergo lessons from theologians, psychologists, physicians, criminologists, and church historians, and upon approval from the bishop, they commence their duties.
However, offering it as a course has brought it back into Europe's agenda. Nowadays, this practice is most common in Belgium. At the Averbode Monastery, which has become the country's foremost 'exorcism point,' over a thousand rituals are performed annually.
'There's not a single day we don't perform an exorcism ritual. Both I and other priests in churches cannot keep up with the demands. Our rituals are very different from those in 'The Exorcist' film. We don't have as exaggerated scenes as in the movies.'
Geert responds to this question by saying, 'People who seek exorcism feel stuck in life, unable to progress further. They don't have many branches to hold on to. They attribute this stagnation to the existence of a supernatural power. Through exorcism rituals, they feel more liberated and better about themselves.'
Historian Kristof Smeyers from Leuven University in Belgium commented, 'Exorcism rituals haven't changed much since the 17th century. Those who apply for these rituals at the church are either those who believe they are possessed or are perceived as such by others around them. What caught my attention is that women show the most interest in these rituals. I believe this trend stems from a dominant theory about women's inclination towards sin and evil.'